The New York Knicks might be wise to return to their rugged roots.
For all of the talk about modern big men being able to space the floor, the New York Knicks might want to consider a different kind of forward in building out their team under recently-hired head coach Tom Thibodeau. What type of forward is that? Let me explain.
I was listening to a podcast right before the NBA playoffs were about to commence and the subject of the segment was the Houston Rockets’ approach to small ball. While most casual observers were mocking the fact that they were playing without a player taller than 6’7″, the logic given made sense. If you don’t have a dominant rim protector, then you’re better off having someone built like a middle linebacker protecting the paint. The Rockets were playing P.J. Tucker at center, a very different player than Clint Capela, the original rim runner.
Tucker is only 6’5″ tall, but weighs 245 lbs and has a 7-foot wingspan. When you consider that today’s players don’t post up much, it’s more important to have a player than can roam in-and-out of the paint to cut off drives while also being able to muscle opponents off their favorite spots around the key.
How the Rockets’ model applies to the Knicks
That got me thinking of when the Knicks used Anthony Mason to cover Hakeem Olajuwon in the 1994 Finals. While Olajuwon was much taller, Mason was strong enough to push him off his spots. Mason was effective in slowing Olajuwon down when he covered him in spurts. This allowed Ewing to take off some possessions on defense.
When I thought of it some more, I realized that some of the most popular Knicks were the big, thick enforcer types. The main reason is because they played on the best Knick teams in franchise history.
If you were to associate a type of player with winning Knicks basketball, it’s not a flashy guard or a center with dominant post moves, it’s a tough rugged power forward. An intimidator that protects the Garden from opponents that are looking to get some shine on basketball’s biggest stage.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane in remembering some of the most rugged forwards in Knicks history before considering who from this year’s draft could potentially play that role in the future.
Rugged Knicks: The O.G. – Dave DeBusschere
When Knick fans think of the rugged tough enforcer types that have worn the blue and orange, they usually think of the players on the 1990s Knicks teams. But the first ‘Rugged Knick’ was Dave DeBusschere. I remember Mike Breen in the When the Garden was Eden film saying, “when I was a kid the two strongest man he knew were his father and Dave DeBusschere”.
The Knicks of the late 1960s were an up-and-coming young team that developed into a contender once they traded for DeBusschere during the 1968-69 season. The team ended up winning 54 games, the first 50+ win season in franchise history and their best in terms of winning percentage in 10 years.
The Knicks went on to win their only two championships during DeBusschere’s six seasons with the franchise. He had his number 22 raised to the rafters as recognition for his contribution.
DeBusschere will also be remembered as the GM with the lucky horseshoe that won the first ever NBA lottery in 1985, allowing the Knicks to select Patrick Ewing.
The Oak Tree – Charles Oakley
For as great as Patrick Ewing was, the Knicks had a losing record in each of his first 3 seasons, winning 23, 24 and 38 games, respectively. Ewing’s first winning season was in 1988-89 when Charles Oakley joined the team.
That season the Knicks won 52 games. It was their best season since 1972-73, when they won their last championship. Oakley was an All-Star in the 1993-94 season, which was the Knicks’ first appearance in the Finals in 21 years. The Knicks went to the playoffs in all of Oakley’s ten seasons with the team. You now understand why Oakley feels under-appreciated by the franchise.
Mase – Anthony Mason
The other great ‘Rugged Knick’ from the 1990s was none other than Anthony Mason. He was a no-name journeyman player when he joined the Knicks in the 1991-92 season, which happened to also be Pat Riley’s first season as head coach.
Mason gave the Knicks that second tough guy that could play in the same lineup with Ewing and Oakley. In his 5 seasons with the team, the franchise made the playoffs every year. They won 50+ games in 4 of those 5 seasons and made the Finals in 1994. He was also one of the core players on the only 60-win team in franchise history.
Mason was one of the most feared players in the league—a great defender who could cover all three forward positions. Mason was also known for his handle, playing ‘point-forward’ before it was fashionable, You could say that he was a little ahead of his time.
Rugged Knicks: L.J. – Larry Johnson
When it was time for the Knicks to revamp their roster after the 1995-96 season, they traded one great ‘Rugged Knick’, Anthony Mason, for the last great one, Larry Johnson (L.J.).
Both players had similar builds, as they were listed at 6’7″ and 250 lbs. While L.J. was not the stout defender Mason was, he was still considered a tough guy. Teams thought twice about going inside on the Knicks. Johnson also was an exceptional rebounder. I recall many games when the Knicks would leak out an extra player to create a fast break opportunity because they knew that L.J. and the other Big would control the defensive glass.
Johnson was a key player on the last Knicks’ team to make it to the Finals. Aside from being a dominant post player, he was a good outside shooter. He was one of the original stretch 4s. He allowed the Knicks to play Houston or Sprewell at the 3 with Camby at the 5. The Knicks’ small ball lineup was lethal, and it was ahead of its time.
Of course, Johnson will always be remember for this 4-point play against the Pacers in Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals. That shot changed the trajectory of the series and helped propel the Knicks into the Finals. The Knicks made the playoffs in all five of L.J.’s seasons in New York. The demise of the Knicks started after Johnson was forced to retire because of chronic back issues.
The Next Rugged Knick
When you start searching for who can be the next great Knick enforcer, there are two players in the draft that fit that profile. The first is Isaac Okoro from Auburn. He is considered by many experts to be the best defender in the draft. The first thing you hear people say about him is that he is a winner. He puts the team first, plays hard, and does all the little things necessary to win. The biggest knock on him is that he isn’t a great shooter, but that is a skill that can be developed.
The other player that comes to mind is Patrick Williams from Florida State. One of the issues Williams had to deal with this season was that he develops muscle too easily (imagine that).
The kid is projected to go towards the end of the lottery because he is raw, but he has one of the highest ceilings in the draft. He gets after it on defense and is an explosive athlete. He also looks like he can develop into an adequate outside shooter. Having him and Mitchell Robinson patrolling the paint would be a scary sight for the opposing teams.
The new cheat code
In basketball, you always hear about height, standing reach, wingspan and vertical leap. But you never hear about strength as measurement. No one talks about bench press reps like they do in football. But strength matters in basketball. Being able to intimidate and wear down your opponent through physical play is effective.
Look at the Warriors: they were just a middle of the road playoff team until Draymond Green came into his own. At 6-foot-6, 230 lbs with a 7’1″ wingspan and the strength of a football player, Green is able to switch onto any player on the floor. He provides the Warriors the attitude and edge that got them into the stratosphere of greatest teams of all-time. He is to the Warriors what DeBusschere was to the Knicks.
Aside from landing a franchise player, let’s hope the Knicks find that prototypical enforcer that has been a staple of all the great Knick teams.